From the moment the team exited the players' tunnel to take the field at Rio Tinto Stadium, Real Salt Lake knew they would be experiencing the rarity of playing in a hostile environment on their home grass.
Club America fans descended upon the stadium in droves to watch the Aguilas take on the Claret-and-Cobalt in the 2009 Xango Cup. Amid the unusual showers of boos and whistles, RSL made like it was just another home game.
Real set the tempo almost from the opening whistle on offense and defense and collected an impressive 1-0 victory against Club America on Saturday night.
The atmosphere was admittedly toxic at times for RSL. But it is an experience they believe will prove extremely valuable when they hit the road against various MLS opponents -- starting next week with Columbus.
"I really think we can play with a lot more confidence now," defender Nat Borchers said. "We outclassed a team that everyone expected to outclass us. So we definitely can bring some confidence from this game into the away games."
For RSL getting a victory offered not only a vote of confidence about the direction they appear to be headed in, it also offered a statement about the U.S. brand of soccer being a good one.
Club America came in as a favorite based on its history of success and reputation as one of Mexico's best soccer clubs. In the end, RSL felt like they gave the Aguilas and their fans something to chew on.
"This is a big statement for the club and a great win for the league," defender Tony Beltran said.
Putting together such an important statement win started on the defensive side of the ball where the Utah side put together one of its stronger defensive efforts of the season. RSL allowed just a single shot on goal in either half and stayed compact enough to break up intermittent attempts by Club America to break through its final third and attack the net.
RSL coach Jason Kreis said the total defensive effort exhibited by his club shows what it can accomplish when the team sets out make things happen.
"When we're working for each other and all the players are focused on doing the right things -- the little things defensively -- we're a very good team defensively," Kreis said.
Javier Morales made that defensive effort pay off when he punched in the game's only goal in the 54th minute.
Morales put the ball in the back of the net when he threaded the ball between Oscar Rojas and Pavel Pardo outside the right edge of the penalty area and launched it cleanly over the left shoulder of Club America 'keeper Armando Navarrette.
The Argentinean midfielder thinks RSL did what it needed to in order to win over a few more fans.
"We made a good show," Morales said.
One big goal for the team going forward is to make this victory stick. If RSL hopes to reinsert itself back in the playoff picture, building on what it accomplished this weekend will be essential when it returns to MLS action next week.
The team sees it as a new beginning to their season and a victory over Club America offers a perfect template on just how RSL can tackle the remainder of its schedule.
"We worked hard all around the field," forward Robbie Findley said. "Everybody was working for each other and we also got opportunities. We meshed well together as a unit and that's what we have to continue in the regular season."
RSL saw an addition to the growing number of player departures a few hours before the match started when general manager Garth Lagerwey announced reserve defender Ian Joy would be returning to Europe. Joy is leaving to pursue playing opportunities overseas and be closer to his family.
Joy had seen his minutes drop off after a hamstring injury sidelined him for several weeks earlier this season.
John Coon is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
